A House panel is holding a hearing on a proposed amendment to New Hampshire's constitution that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The measure passed the Senate unanimously and if three-fifths of the House agrees, it would go before voters in November. The constitution currently prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex and national origin. The amendment would add sexual orientation.

The state already prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in statute, but supporters want to enshrine the protection in the constitution.

It’s halftime at the New Hampshire Statehouse, with last week’s so-called “crossover day”, where those bills that have passed the House go to the Senate for a vote, and vice versa. Major issues that remain in play include a gas tax increase, a death penalty repeal, and once again, expanded gambling. We’re checking the score thus far, and seeing where these bills go from here.

Michael Briggs, the Manchester Police officer shot in the line of duty in 2006, and his killer, Michael Addison, who now sits on death row, both loomed large in the debate.

An indication of how large could be seen in the front row of the senate gallery.

That’s where Manchester police officials, including the chief and he lead investigator of the Briggs muder stood in full uniform the whole time. 15 feet down in the senate floor Michael Briggs name came up almost immediately – by people on both sides of the issue.